Foot tanning apparatus

Abstract

The present invention 10 discloses a tanning device for the ankle and foot 14 area of a user 12 comprising a housing 16 having upper positioned apertures 30 for inserting the feet 14. The apertures 30 have elastic-like sleeves 18 therein which sleeves have apertures 40 therein that form a seal around the inserted appendage. The elastic-like sleeves 18 are constructed from suitable material having UV light-blocking properties so that only the appendage 14 within the housing 16 receives the UV rays. Lining the inner surfaces of the housing 16 are a plurality of ultraviolet bulbs 38 activated by an on/off toggle switch 26. Positioned within the rear wall of the device are a plurality of fans 32 moving exterior ambient air into the device that exits through either the screen floor 36 substantially forming the base of the device or a plurality of apertures forming vents 20 within the exterior walls. Also positioned on the exterior side wall of the device are the power switch 26 and a control knob 28 for setting a run time for the fans 32.

What is claimed to be new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent is set forth in the appended claims:  
     
       1. An apparatus for tanning feet and ankles, comprising: 
       a) a housing, said housing having a top, a bottom, a rear, a pair of vertical side walls, and a front, said bottom comprising a screen member adapted to receive and support bottoms of said feet, said screen member being mounted within said housing so as to be above any floor on which said housing sits;  
       b) said top of said housing having a pair of apertures therein for receiving the feet;  
       c) means comprising an ultraviolet light source disposed internal to said housing whereby each foot and ankle are tanned, said light source comprising a plurality of extended bulbs in parallel relationship with each other horizontally disposed along each side wall of said housing and another plurality of extended bulbs in parallel relationship with each other horizontally disposed in a vertical column adapted to be between the feet and ankles of a user, said bulbs extending from the front to the rear of said housing;  
       d) means for sealing around each ankle whereby ultraviolet light is retained internal said housing;  
       e) means for ventilating said housing whereby the interior is cooled;  
       f) means for controlling the apparatus whereby a user can control the apparatus; and,  
       g) means for connection to a power source for the apparatus.  
     
     
       2. The apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein said means for sealing further comprises an elastomeric seal disposed internal said apertures on top of said housing. 
     
     
       3. The apparatus of  claim 2 , wherein said seal has a central aperture therein, said aperture of said seal for receiving the foot and ankle of a user. 
     
     
       4. The apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein said aperture of said seal has an inner surface thereon, said inner surface engaging the skin of the ankle of the user to retain ultraviolet light internal said housing. 
     
     
       5. The apparatus of  claim 4 , wherein said ultraviolet bulbs further comprise ultraviolet A light bulbs. 
     
     
       6. The apparatus of  claim 5 , wherein said ultraviolet bulbs further comprise ultraviolet B light bulbs. 
     
     
       7. The apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein said means for ventilating further comprises at least one electric fan disposed on said rear of said housing for forcing air into said housing. 
     
     
       8. The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein said means for ventilating further comprises at least one air vent disposed on a wall of said housing for emitting air from said housing. 
     
     
       9. The apparatus of  claim 8 , having a vertical wall dividing said housing into two adjacent compartments for allowing each foot to be in adjacent compartments with separate rows of extended bulbs on opposite sides of said wall. 
     
     
       10. The apparatus of  claim 9 , wherein said means for controlling the apparatus further comprises an on/off switch. 
     
     
       11. The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein said means for controlling the apparatus further comprises a timer switch for said ultraviolet lights. 
     
     
       12. The apparatus of  claim 11 , wherein said means for controlling the apparatus further comprises a timer switch for said fan. 
     
     
       13. The apparatus of  claim 12  wherein said front of said housing has a forward sloping flat surface for display of a logo thereon.